Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned
rank in the United States Air Force
. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force Chief of Staff (AF/CC)
and serves as the senior enlisted advisor
to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. While the CMSAF is a non-commissioned officer, the billet is protocol equivalent to a lieutenant general
.
The current Chief Master Sergeant
of the Air Force
is Chief James A. Roy
. He is the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force in the history of the U.S. Air Force.
On November 1, 2004, the CMSAF's rank insignia was updated to include the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper field. This puts the insignia in line with those of the Army
and Marine Corps
who have similar insignia to denote their senior enlisted servicemen. The laurel wreath around the star in the lower field remained unchanged to retain the legacy of the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force.
The CMSAF wears distinctive collar insignia. Traditionally, enlisted airmen's collar insignia was silver-colored "U.S." within a ring. The CMSAF's collar brass replaced the standard ring with a silver laurel wreath. When the Air Force converted to the current business-cut uniform, the ring was removed from enlisted collar brass, making it identical to that of commissioned officers. The CMSAF, however, retained the special wreathed version.
The CMSAF wears a distinctive cap device. Enlisted airmen's cap device is the Coat of Arms of the United States, surrounded by a ring, all struck from silver-colored metal. Much as with the position's distinctive collar brass, the ring is replaced with a laurel wreath for the CMSAF. The Sergeant Major of the Army
wears an identical cap device, albeit of gold-colored metal.
All Chief Master Sergeants, including the CMSAF, may also be referred to as "Chief".
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
rank in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. The holder of this rank and post represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted corps and represents their interests, as appropriate, to the American public, and to those in all levels of government. The CMSAF is appointed by the Air Force Chief of Staff (AF/CC)
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Air Force, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Air Force, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the...
and serves as the senior enlisted advisor
Senior Enlisted Advisor
A Senior Enlisted Advisor in the United States armed forces is the most senior enlisted service member in a unit, and acts as an advisor to the commanding officer. Most units will have a formal billet for the senior enlisted advisor, from a platoon's platoon sergeant to the Senior Enlisted Advisor...
to the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progress of the enlisted force. While the CMSAF is a non-commissioned officer, the billet is protocol equivalent to a lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
.
The current Chief Master Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
CMSgt ChevronChief Master Sergeant is the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, just above Senior Master Sergeant, and is a senior non-commissioned officer. The official term of address is "Chief Master Sergeant" or "Chief".Attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant is the...
of the Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
is Chief James A. Roy
James A. Roy
James A. Roy is the 16th and current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force beginning on 30 June 2009. He was previously the Senior Enlisted Leader and Advisor for United States Pacific Command. The previous CMSAF Rodney J...
. He is the 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force in the history of the U.S. Air Force.
On November 1, 2004, the CMSAF's rank insignia was updated to include the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper field. This puts the insignia in line with those of the Army
Sergeant Major of the Army
The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
and Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....
who have similar insignia to denote their senior enlisted servicemen. The laurel wreath around the star in the lower field remained unchanged to retain the legacy of the Chief Master Sergeants of the Air Force.
The CMSAF wears distinctive collar insignia. Traditionally, enlisted airmen's collar insignia was silver-colored "U.S." within a ring. The CMSAF's collar brass replaced the standard ring with a silver laurel wreath. When the Air Force converted to the current business-cut uniform, the ring was removed from enlisted collar brass, making it identical to that of commissioned officers. The CMSAF, however, retained the special wreathed version.
The CMSAF wears a distinctive cap device. Enlisted airmen's cap device is the Coat of Arms of the United States, surrounded by a ring, all struck from silver-colored metal. Much as with the position's distinctive collar brass, the ring is replaced with a laurel wreath for the CMSAF. The Sergeant Major of the Army
Sergeant Major of the Army
The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
wears an identical cap device, albeit of gold-colored metal.
All Chief Master Sergeants, including the CMSAF, may also be referred to as "Chief".
Chief Master Sergeants
| # | Picture | Name | Tenure from | Tenure to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Paul W. Airey Paul W. Airey Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Harold Brown and Air Force Chief of Staff General John P. McConnell on matters concerning welfare, effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the United States Air Force... |
||
| 2 |  |
Donald L. Harlow Donald L. Harlow Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Donald L. Harlow was the second Chief Master Sergeant, appointed to the highest non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
||
| 3 |  |
Richard D. Kisling Richard D. Kisling Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Richard D. Kisling was the third Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
||
| 4 | Thomas N. Barnes Thomas N. Barnes Thomas N. Barnes, CMSgt USAF was the fourth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first and to date only African-American in that position. He was also the first African-American Senior Enlisted Advisor in any of the Armed Forces of the United States... |
|||
| 5 |  |
Robert D. Gaylor Robert D. Gaylor Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor was the fifth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest enlisted position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
||
| 6 |  |
James M. McCoy James M. McCoy Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James M. McCoy was the sixth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest Non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Career:... |
||
| 7 |  |
Arthur L. Andrews Arthur L. Andrews Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Arthur L. "Bud" Andrews was the seventh Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest Non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
||
| 8 |  |
Sam E. Parish Sam E. Parish Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Sam E. Parish was the eighth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest Non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.... |
||
| 9 |  |
James C. Binnicker James C. Binnicker Chief Master Sergeant James C. Binnicker was the ninth appointed as Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force — the highest non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
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| 10 |  |
Gary R. Pfingston Gary R. Pfingston Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gary R. Pfingston was the tenth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest Non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.... |
||
| 11 |  |
David J. Campanale David J. Campanale Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David J. Campanale was the eleventh person appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.... |
||
| 12 |  |
Eric W. Benken Eric W. Benken Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Eric W. Benken was the twelfth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.-Biography:... |
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| 13 |  |
Frederick J. Finch Frederick J. Finch Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Frederick J. "Jim" Finch was the thirteenth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest noncommissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.... |
||
| 14 |  |
Gerald R. Murray Gerald R. Murray Gerald R. Murray was the 14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Chief Murray served in the United States Air Force from 1977 to 2006, retiring after 29 years of distinguished service.-Biography:... |
||
| 15 |  |
Rodney J. McKinley Rodney J. McKinley Rodney J. McKinley was the 15th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force who served a total of 30 combined years in the United States Air Force.-Overview:... |
||
| 16 |  |
James A. Roy James A. Roy James A. Roy is the 16th and current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force beginning on 30 June 2009. He was previously the Senior Enlisted Leader and Advisor for United States Pacific Command. The previous CMSAF Rodney J... |
present |
See also
- Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffSenior Enlisted Advisor to the ChairmanSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces...
- Sergeant Major of the ArmySergeant Major of the ArmyThe Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Coast GuardThe Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Coast Guard.The holder of this rank and post is the senior enlisted member of the U.S...
- Sergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the NavyMaster Chief Petty Officer of the NavyThe Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Navy, which has a paygrade of E-9. The holder of this rank and post is the most senior enlisted member of the U.S...
- United States Military PayUnited States Military PayUnited States Military Pay is money paid to members in the United States Armed Forces. The amount of pay may vary by the member's rank, time in the military, location duty assignment, and by some special skills the member may have.-Pay versus Allowance:...
- Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant OfficerChief of the Air Staff's Warrant OfficerThe Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer is the senior warrant officer of the Royal Air Force. The person holding this appointment advises the Chief of the Air Staff on matters concerning airmen and airwoman of the RAF. The post was created in 1998.-List Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant...
- The UK equivalent
External links
- Air Force Print News: New CMSAF insignia debuts 1 Nov 2004